Parus Barren

The verdant and lush subtropical landscape ends abruptly at a boundary that history has not marked with anything other than a lingering name. Thousands of hectares remain largely bare of vegetation and what does grow remains short and stunted. Massive circles of smooth, grey stone dot the area flush with the ground. The earth throughout the area is dense hardpan which becomes sticky mud after heavy rain. Caravans will avoid the area rather than chance becoming mired if weather signs indicate moisture will be falling. Otherwise, it is a preferred route because of the ease with which it can be traversed. The Parus Barren can be crossed in just a few days at its narrowest, and a few days more at the widest. If the weather does surprise a traveler, there isn't any sort of shelter and the only way to avoid the mud is to camp on an area of stone until dry weather.
No towns or villages are adjacent to the Parus Barren. The soil is poor and difficult to work. Forage for grazing is sparse and no water flows nearby. Loggers have been taking the best quality trees along the borders which eliminated the incentive and made it impractical. The forest along the borders is riddled with ruins and openings that often lead into the labyrinth. Except for the well-traveled roads, venturing cross country is difficult and can be hazardous. Expeditions from the Adventurers' Guilds are frequently dispatched to track, eliminate incursions from the labyrinth and close off the access. 
Despite that, to save time, large caravans will use the roads to traverse the barrens. As a result, many smaller settlements are underserved as merchants bypass them. Smaller groups have started their own caravans to connect those villages, taking advantage of the shorter circuit route. This is keeping local products from spreading to the bigger towns and cities and causing a cultural divide. This is particularly noticeable in Thornrest where the Consortium petitioned for tariffs on imported goods and then used their connection to the Ducal family for exemption from the tariff.

Type

Wasteland